Back In The Saddle

After being home for the last month from college for winter break, our daughter headed back to school yesterday to start her second semester of her Junior year.  She left with a packed car full of clean laundry and groceries, many that came out of my kitchen/freezer.

I've been absence in updating my blog and I've been even more absence in riding my horse, Poco.  I can only say that I've truly loved being a Mom for the past month to my only child.  There is such a joy in doing that.  Sigh...but now she's gone, back into her world at school and it is time for me to get back to riding and what I need/want to do for 2011.

I hadn't ridden Poco for a few weeks so yesterday was my first lesson in awhile.  During my off-time my friend rode Poco.  I'm grateful for her riding him but it's time for me get back on. 

I'm returning to lessons.  Last summer Poco and I had a great time getting to know each other when we just rode around.  Now it's time to put our knowledge and trust of each other to use.

I started my first lesson yesterday.  I will now take them weekly and practice what I learned in-between.  Yesterday we worked on half-halting.

The horse I rode last year (New Year's Resolution to not live in my past life riding Champ), was well trained.  It was easy to half-halt my past horse.  It is not easy to half-halt sweet Poco.  But that is the beauty of riding - always learning.  So working with Poco to learn how to half-halt is enjoyable for me.

By the end of our lesson yesterday he was figuring it out.  It made me feel good when Rachel, my Trainer, remarked that I had soft hands and a natural ability to "feel".  She had commented on this in the past and it always makes one feel good to know you are doing something right!  ...It was a good ride.

Back in the saddle again today to practice what we worked on yesterday.  Also backing up, something Poco didn't do well when I first bought him.  Happy to say he is now perfect in backing.  I left with that happy feeling that we'd accomplished something.  I'm stiff tonight but it feels good, reminds me of being up on my horse.

Rachel has asked me to join her and a few gals at the barn at a two-day sorting clinic in February, right around the corner.  I have wanted to move cows for soooooooooo long, since I was 5 years old and watched cowboy movies!  I really want to go, but with Poco's bad eyes he isn't a candidate for tracking cows.  Rachel will see if there is a horse onsite that I can borrow.  Sorting was one of my 2010 goals and I've carried it into 2011.

Yes, I have other goals for 2011 also, but I really just wanted to get this Post up on my Blog so you knew what I'd been up to.  Also, thank you Carol and Ms Martyr for your awards.  As soon as I can figure out how to link I will pull them down.  Thank you for thinking of me! 

50+  :)